Head and Neck Massage

Today was a great day in clinic! I received a head and neck massage during clinic--twice! It was fabulous! There was a point behind the massages, it wasn't just to help us relax. We learned how to do an extra-oral exam today. An extra-oral exam is important because as hygienists we are responsible for finding and bringing to our patients attention any abnormalities they may have. As we do an extensive exam we are doing our patients a favor by early detection of lesions or lumps.

For the exam I start by looking around the patients vermilion zone and border (lips). I start by palpating the supraorbital region, then move along down the zygomatic arch. During the exam I ask my patient to report any tenderness they may feel or have been feeling. I am feeling the lymph nodes and the structure of the bone, noting any abnormalities. I then move toward the temples and the TMJ. I ask my patient to open and close, do lateral excursions (go side to side), and protrude the jaw (move forward). I am listening to clicking, popping, or seeing if my patient is having any pain. I check the pre- and post-auricular nodes. I then move along the mandible and palpate the masseter muscle and the paratid gland. I have the patient clench and release the jaw to feel the muscle better. I continue around the mandible feeling for any abnormalities. I have the patient turn their head to the side while I feel the sternomastoid, along the clavicle and the trapezius. I then feel the submandibular and sublingual glands for any abnormalities.

I felt like I was able to get the extra-oral exam pretty well. And it was fun to feel the differences in peoples anatomy. It was also really relaxing to receive one especially with all the stress I have this week! It has been quite the week and it's still not over! But I'm still loving every minute of it and I am still glad I chose Dental Hygiene as my profession!